Janis Zeller-Kindlinger, Islamorada customer service representative/lead teller, recently celebrated her 10th anniversary with First State Bank of the Florida Keys.

Zeller-Kindlinger joined First State in 2003 as teller at the Islamorada Office, progressing to customer service representative/teller at the Key Largo Branch in 2005, and was promoted to her current position in 2007 where she also serves as the Islamorada Branch's environmental green captain.

"Janis' winning personality and positive outlook make her a favorite of her customers and co-workers," said Islamorada branch manager Nola Acker.

Byrne joins Kaufman law office

Attorney Jon Byrne recently joined the law firm of Sam Kaufman. Byrne earned his law degree at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law where he was also an associate editor for The Catholic University Law Review. Jon received his master's in education and bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University. Prior to attending law school, Jon taught elementary school for close to five years. Jon spent more than five years as an assistant state attorney in Florida with the 12th Judicial Circuit. While there, Jon handled thousands of cases and was lead attorney in more than 30 trials both in the misdemeanor and felony divisions. Jon's trials included charges of second-degree murder, DUI manslaughter, armed burglary of a dwelling, sexual battery, home invasion robbery, trafficking in cocaine, aggravated battery with a firearm, grand theft, domestic battery and DUI. Jon is now representing clients in civil and criminal cases with the Kaufman firm.

Forbes lauds La Mer and Dewey House

The La Mer Hotel & Dewey House and Southernmost on the Beach of the Southernmost Hotel Collection were included on the 55th annual listing of the Forbes 2013 Travel Guide Stars list.

The La Mer Hotel and Dewey House were rated four stars out of five by Forbes Travel Guide and the Southernmost on the Beach ranked among the newly created "Recommended" category, which debuted this year. The two hotels are the only Key West hotel properties to make the 2013 list of worldwide establishments. Both hotels will be featured throughout 2013 on startle.com, the online home of Forbes Travel Guide which has been a standard since 1958 for measuring hospitality excellence.

"This type of honor is something as a hotelier you strive for on a daily basis. After 25 years of service at the Southernmost Hotel Collection, being awarded such ratings shows me how wonderful we are doing as a team offering exceptional customer service and providing guests with the vacation of a lifetime," said Director of Sales and Marketing Carrie Babich.

Pribramsky earns fraud examiner certification

Florida Keys Certified Public Accountant Steven Pribramsky, with offices in Key West, Marathon and Islamorada, has earned a Certified Fraud Examiners designation from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Pribramsky is now the only CPA with offices in the Keys to hold this designation, which involves a rigorous four-part exam and previous work experience in the field.

Statistically, 42 percent of all business theft happens at the cash register so there are some very straight forward ways businesses in the Keys can protect themselves. I am proud to have earned this designation and it is my hope that I can help companies improve their internal controls on the front end so they don't have to hire me once they suspect a fraud has been committed," Pribramsky said.